Joseph j



(No Model.)

J. J. GLEASON. SAFETY BNVELOPE.

Patented Aug. 1, 1893.

NITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JOSEPH J. GLEASON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SAFETY-ENVELOPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 502,560, dated August 1, 1893.

Application filed February 27, 1893. Serial No. 463,927. (No model.)

To afZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH J. GLEAsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have linvented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety-Envelopes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a back View of the envelope closed; Fig. 2 a vertical sectional view, enlarged; Fig. 3 a back view open, and Fig. 4 a

.vertical sectional view open, showing more clearly the separate parts of the fastening device permanently carried by the envelope.

This invention is designed to provide a simple fastening device for envelopes which will .prevent the same being readily opened after sealing without sufficiently mutilating them as to render the mutilation obvious at a glance, as is more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, an envelope of ordinary construction is shown, which preferably has its lower end permanently fastened by an eyelet a. The upper end is closed by the usual flap b, which is preferably made longer than usual and provided with the usual gurnmed edge b', which is fastened to the body of the envelope bymoisteningyin the usual manner. Passing through the envelope and flap, between the gum-fastening and the upper end of the envelope, is a metal fastening device the two interlocking parts o c of which are respectively carried bythe envelope and flap. The part c, on the envelope proper, consists of a disk or flange d bearing on the front side of the envelope and having formed integralV with it a short tubular shank d', which passes through the front side of the envelope and has fitted on it, inside of the envelope, a Washer cl2 to secure it to the envelope-body. The shank is made slightly contractible and elastic by slitting it longitudinally, as at d3, and it is provided, at its extreme end, with an exterior shoulder d which is preferably beveled on its outer edge. When the envelope is closed, the shank extends through a co-incident opening d4 in the back of the envelope. The opening d5 in the front side of the envelope is'formed a little larger than the v shank in order that the same may have a slight movement independently of the envelope, to enable it to be adjusted accurately in line with the device or part on the flap, should the two parts be thrown slightly out of line by the bulky contents of the envelope. The part carried by the liap is constructed similarly to the part on the envelope, that is, it consists of a disk e bearing against the outside of the iiap and formed integral with a tubular shank e', which is provided with an exterior beveled shoulder e and is slitted longitudinally at e3 to make it slightly elastic and contractible. A washer or disk e2 is secured on the shank between its shoulder and the flap to permanently attach the device to the flap, the space between the shoulder and the liap being just suiiicient to clamp the washer quite closely. The washer e2 and also Washer d? are secured on their respective shanks by simply forcing them over the shouldered ends of the same, the shanks contracting sufficiently to permit this to be done and the friction being sufficient to securely hold the washers in place. The opening through the shank of the part c is larger in internal diameter than the shank'of the other part, so that the latter shank may pass through the former, as shown in Fig. 2,when the envelope is closed and sealed.

The parts of the fastening device are permanently attached to the envelope so that the user has simply to seal the gummed edge of the flap. (where that is used) and force the tube of the device on the flap down over the shank of the other part. The shank or tube d is longer than the other tube and is sufficiently contractible to enable its shoulder to pass through. When the tube d is thus forced through the other tube, its shoulder springs out and engages over the outer side of disk e and securely locks the parts together. The only part of the fastening tube or shank d projecting beyond the washer e is its shoulder, which rests closely against the washer e and is beveled,so that it would take considerable manipulation to disengage the parts without obviously mutilating the fastener or the envelope.

The space between the gummededge and the fastener is utilized to stamp the date and hour of sealing the envelope on. The sealing or interlocking of the fastening devices and time-stamping is preferably done at the same IOO instant and by the same movement, an attachment to the time stamp being provided for this purpose. The sealing however may be done by hand, if desired.

Having Ithus fully described my invention, what I claim isl. The combination with an envelope, of a fastener therefor, consisting of the part c carried by the body of the envelope, said part consisting of a disk d resting against the face of the envelope and formed with an inwardly projecting contraotible tubular shank CZ', said shank being provided on its inner end with an annular iange c", beveled on its out-er edge, a washer sprung on shank d for securing said part to the envelope, and another part c' carried by the flap of the envelope and consisting of a plate e resting against one face of the (lap and provided with a short contractible tubular shank e', provided with an annular shoulder e, on its inner end and a Washer sprung on the shank e between shouldere and the flap, thereby fastening said part to the flap whereby the shank of part c may be sprung or passed through the shank 25 of the part c to permit its beveled shoulder to engage over the outer end thereof, substantially as described.

2. In a fastening device for envelopes, dac., the combination of a part c carried by one part of the envelope, said part c consisting of a disk e formed integral With a tubular shank e, said shank being slitted longitudinally and flanged, and a securing Washer sprung over shank e and held thereon by said Han ge, and another part c carried by the other part of the envelope and consisting of a disk d carrying a tubular shank d slitted. longitudinally and shouldered at its end,and means for clamping it to the envelope, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH J. GLEASON.

Witnesses:

W. S. GAINEs, WVM. H. HALL. 

